Can SM-6 developer be devided into two solutions like JD-2?

Viking · Post by **Viking** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 4:41 pm

Hello every one

Does anyone know if the SM-6 developer can be prepared as two solutions like JD-2? The instructions in the set says to mix it all up at once, and it will work for three days only. What a waste!

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 5:36 pm

Viking wrote:Hello every one

Does anyone know if the SM-6 developer can be prepared as two solutions like JD-2?

Of course you can do that. All you have to do is separate the alkali part from the rest of the developer.

Viking · Post by **Viking** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 7:32 pm

Hi Martin
Thank you very much for your answer.
Back in scool I never thought chemistry would be usefull..... Boy were I wrong! Should have paid more attention.

Could anyone tell me please which part is the alkali part?
The ingredients are:
# Sodium Hydroxide 12.0g
# Methyl Phenidone 6.0g
# Ascorbic Acid 18g
# Sodium Phosphate (dibasic) 28.4g
Thanks in advance.

rzeheb · Post by **rzeheb** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:43 pm

Hi Viking. Sodium Hydroxide is strongly alkaline. Sodium phosphate (dibasic) is a salt but is mildly alkaline is solution (I'm pretty sure, but it's been years....).

Viking · Post by **Viking** » Sun Oct 25, 2009 11:56 pm

So I need to keep both of these separate in one bottle (the A solution so to speak)?

rzeheb · Post by **rzeheb** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:08 am

I have no direct experience with this developing solution but it stands to reason that that should work. Maybe the best bet would be to try it on a small amount just to test?

Viking · Post by **Viking** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 11:18 am

Many thanks to both of you for your quick replys. You guys are the best! Now off to some shooting...!

Ed Wesly · Post by **Ed Wesly** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:19 pm

What are you shooting? Being the guy who discovered this developer, (although someone else who wasn't even in the country when I made this discovery takes credit for it, see http://holographyforum.org/files/sm6.htm), I always have to remind people that this developer is specifically for pulsed work, and sometimes gives sub-optimal results in CW work.

And yes, you were on the right track in the dividing the two alkalis and the developing agents!

The_Stranger · Post by **The_Stranger** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:39 pm

Ed Wesly wrote:What are you shooting? Being the guy who discovered this developer, (although someone else who wasn't even in the country when I made this discovery takes credit for it, see http://holographyforum.org/files/sm6.htm), I always have to remind people that this developer is specifically for pulsed work, and sometimes gives sub-optimal results in CW work.

And yes, you were on the right track in the dividing the two alkalis and the developing agents!

The European distributor of the slavich material list the SM6 developer as the developer for VRP-M, PFG-01 and PFG-03C and they mean CW work...

http://www.geola.lt/lt/holography_mater ... sensitive/

Ed Wesly · Post by **Ed Wesly** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:49 pm

Interesting! Slavich, the manufacturer, makes the distinction between pulsed and CW work on the PFG-01 and VRP-M page at http://www.slavich.com/technical.htm. They don't say anything about using SM-6 for PFG-03M or C. But Geola says to use SM-6. Side by side comparison with CW lasers on Agfa 8E75HD did show the SM-6 at a disadvantage, so it would be interesting to try those tests again with the Slavich stuff.